Houston, MN — 2026 Building Permit Guide

On this page 6

§ 01

Permit authority

Building/Zoning; City Planning and Building/Zoning pages reference City Hall and CMS Inspections

Street address

Houston City Hall, Houston, MN 55943; public site does not clearly show a full street address in the captured extract

Coverage

City of Houston

Website

Department website

§ 02

When a permit is required

Permit triggers and exempt work for Houston

Scope of work

Permit?

Flat-fee replacement work listed above does not require plans

Exempt

Fences at or below 30 inches are implied exempt by the page language

Exempt

Exempt Flat-fee replacement work listed above does not require plans
Exempt Fences at or below 30 inches are implied exempt by the page language

Required documents

Printed forms; all other improvements require 2 sets of plans including footing, foundation, wall, and roof details. Energy calculations, makeup and combustion air calculations, and energy compliance certificate are required before release of permit.

Building code: City has adopted the Minnesota State Building Code and uses CMS Inspections.
Owner-builder: Homeowner work for own use requires a Self Waiver Form.
Contractor requirements: Contractors must be licensed by the State of Minnesota unless a specific exemption applies.

§ 03

Application process

Application → plan check → issuance → inspection → final

01

Review the city code and permit forms.
02

Submit permit application for city code compliance review.
03

City notifies applicant if a variance or conditional use permit is needed.
04

CMS Inspections reviews and inspects projects for Minnesota State Building Code compliance.
05

Electrical permits are arranged through the MN State Electrical Inspector.
06

Permit is issued after reviews and plan approval.

Source: Building/Zoning; City Planning and Building/Zoning pages reference City Hall and CMS Inspections ↗

§ 04

Fee schedule

Houston building permit fees

Fee type

Amount

Minimum permit fee

$63.50 flat fee for listed replacement permits

Permit fee formula

Permit fees are based on valuation established from State of Minnesota data sheets; sample fees published are $20,000 garage = $216, $100,000 house = $614.50, $250,000 house = $1,176.75

Fees change periodically. Confirm at the official fee schedule ↗ before budgeting.

§ 05

Required inspections

Scheduling and sequence

How to schedule

CMS Inspections handles review and inspections; the public extract does not describe scheduling mechanics (contact)

Typical sequence: Plan review, energy compliance approval, permit release, then inspections; typical new structure inspection sequence includes footing/foundation, poured foundation, backfill, plumbing rough-in below ground, mechanical rough-in, heat/vent, in-floor heat, radon, framing, plumbing rough-in above ground, fireplace rough-in, insulation, finals

§ 06

Frequently asked

Common questions about Houston permits

01 How much does a building permit cost in Houston, MN? ▸

Building permit fees in Houston, MN are set by the local building department and vary by project type and valuation. The minimum permit fee is $63.50 flat fee for listed replacement permits. Fees are calculated as: Permit fees are based on valuation established from State of Minnesota data sheets; sample fees published are $20,000 garage = $216, $100,000 house = $614.50, $250,000 house = $1,176.75.

02 How do I apply for a building permit in Houston, MN? ▸

To apply for a building permit in Houston, MN, follow these steps: 1. Review the city code and permit forms. 2. Submit permit application for city code compliance review. 3. City notifies applicant if a variance or conditional use permit is needed. 4. CMS Inspections reviews and inspects projects for Minnesota State Building Code compliance. 5. Electrical permits are arranged through the MN State Electrical Inspector. 6. Permit is issued after reviews and plan approval.

03 What work is exempt from building permits in Houston, MN? ▸

Not all construction work requires a permit in Houston, MN. The following work is generally exempt: Flat-fee replacement work listed above does not require plans; Fences at or below 30 inches are implied exempt by the page language. When in doubt, confirm with the local building department before starting work.

04 How do I schedule a building inspection in Houston, MN? ▸

Once your permit is issued and work reaches an inspection milestone, you can schedule a building inspection in Houston, MN via: CMS Inspections handles review and inspections; the public extract does not describe scheduling mechanics.

last verified April 2026 source Building/Zoning; City Planning and Building/Zoning pages reference City Hall and CMS Inspections ↗ entry id permits/minnesota/houston/houston-city

Report a correction

Educational reference. Permit rules and fees change — confirm current requirements directly with Building/Zoning; City Planning and Building/Zoning pages reference City Hall and CMS Inspections before applying. Jaspector is not legal advice.

Houston

Other jurisdictions in Houston County.